Faculty of Engineering and Informatics
Programme Specification
Programme title: BSc Computer Science
Academic Year: / 2015/16Degree Awarding Body: / University of Bradford
Partner(s), delivery organisation or support provider (if appropriate):
Final and interim award(s): / BSc (Honours)
[Framework for Higher Education Qualifications (FHEQ) level 6]
BSc
[Framework for Higher Education Qualifications (FHEQ)level 6]
Diploma of Higher Education
[Framework for Higher Education Qualifications (FHEQ)level 5]
Certificate of Higher Education
[Framework for Higher Education Qualifications (FHEQ)level 4]
Programme accredited by (if appropriate): / BCS The Chartered Institute for IT
Programme duration: / 3 years full time; 4 years full-time including a year of study abroad and/or a work placement; 4-6 years part time.
UCAS code: / G400 BSc/CS (3-year) G401 BSc/CS4 (4-year)
QAA Subject benchmark statement(s): / Computing
Date of Senate Approval: / 2003
Date last confirmedand/or minor modification approved by Faculty Board / June 2015
Introduction
Computer Science concentrates on the theoretical foundations of computation and computer technology. It incorporates ideas from many other disciplines, including mathematics, engineering, psychology and graphical design and has a close affinity with electronic communications as illustrated by the Internet and World Wide Web. The term ‘convergence’ is often used to describe how these two disciplines are coming together.
The BSc Computer Science is offered by the School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, part of the Faculty of Engineering and Informatics (EI) in the University of Bradford, which includes a large number of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes concerned with the understanding, design, and exploitation of computation and computer technology. The School places great emphasis on both teaching and research, and there are opportunities for you to join one of our research teams and progress on to postgraduate taught programmes or research degrees on completion of your first degree. Note that the British Computer Society (BCS) for computing professionals, accredits undergraduate and postgraduate programmes offered by the School. Its accreditation of our programmes, including the BSc Computer Science, also means that successful honours graduates are exempted from further examinations for BCS membership. Employment prospects for graduates of the BSc Computer Science should be excellent. Our current BCS-accredited programmes currently enjoy graduate employment rates of over 90%.
Programme Aims
The aim of the programme is to provide you with a sound grounding in the fundamentals of computer software development (programming) and the tools and applications that modern computer scientists’ use. This aim will be achieved by:
- Providing you with a core of fundamental modules, in stages 1 and 2 that are essential to all computer scientists, plus a wide range of options, particularly in the final stage, so that you may choose the particular area in which you are strong or wish to specialize, which builds on the knowledge and understanding gained earlier.
- Providing the support in the form of lectures, labs and tutorials that will enable you to develop your personal portfolio of skills, in line with the School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science’s commitment to providing a very high standard of up-to-date computing facilities to support the practical hardware and programming requirements of the programmes.
- Developing discipline skills and personal transferable skills so that on graduation you may move directly into responsible positions in industry or commerce, or may pursue further programmes of study.
- Promoting educational opportunities for ethnic minorities, women, mature and alternatively qualified students, as well as for school-leavers and traditionally qualified students.
Programme Learning Outcomes
To be eligible for the award of Certificate of Higher Education at FHEQ level 4, students will be able to:
LO1Demonstrate knowledge of fundamental concepts and theories of computer science, and the environment in which they operate; basics of software construction and the tools required to support it, develop skill in constructing software.
LO2State and explain relevant models, principles and practices applicable to the study of computers, computer architecture and systems.
LO3Explain how logic is used as a tool for describing computer systems.
LO4Collect, manage and present information, ideas and concepts, and interpret data using suitable techniques.
LO5Work effectively as individuals and in groups.
LO6Communicate accurately and reliably with a range of audiences using basic theories and concepts of the subjects of study.
Additionally, to be eligible for the award of Diploma of Higher Education at FHEQ level 5, students will be able to:
LO7Apply knowledge and skills in computing to the analysis of complex software engineering.
LO8Apply knowledge of investigative and research principles to demonstrate an understanding of how to evaluate computing designs, processes and products.
LO9Apply knowledge of relevant software to problems and system.
LO10Apply knowledge of computer systems to the assessment and management of specific problems and challenges.
LO11Demonstrate the use of practical computer science skills in design and manufacture, and testing of computer systems.
LO12Use personal and technical skills to communicate effectively within computing environments in partnership with other professionals.
Additionally, to be eligible for the award of Ordinary Degree of Bachelor at FHEQ level 6, students will be able to demonstrate:
LO13a systematic understanding key aspects of their field of study, including acquisition of coherent and detailed knowledge informed by aspects of Computing.
LO14an ability to deploy accurately established techniques of analysis and enquiry within Computing.
LO15conceptual understanding that enables the student to devise and sustain arguments, and/or to solve problems, using ideas and techniques, and to describe and comment upon particular aspects of current research, or equivalent scholarship, or practice in Computing.
LO16an appreciation of the uncertainty, ambiguity and limits of knowledge.
LO17the ability to manage their own learning, and to make use of primary sources.
Additionally, to be eligible for the award of Honours Degree of Bachelor at FHEQ level 6, students will be able to demonstrate:
LO18a systematic understandingof the fundamental concepts and theories of computer science including detailed knowledge of hardware, computer architecture, information and communication technologies
LO19a firm grasp of the mathematical foundations of computing and how they underpin the formal specification and design of commercial applications
LO20ability to comment on aspects of current research in the discipline
LO21how to analyse problems and develop solutions using leading edge ideas and techniques
LO22an ability to read and make use of research articles in journals and research literature; competence in the use of major software application packages
LO23exercise of initiativein information management, interpretation and presentation
Curriculum
Stage 1
FHEQ Level / Module Title / Type(Core/
Option/
Elective) / Credits / Semester (s) / Module Code
4 / Developing Professional Skills / C / 10+10 / 1,2 / CM0113L
4 / Computer Architecture and Systems Software / C / 10+10 / 1,2 / CM0107L
4 / Formal Foundations / C / 10+10 / 1,2 / CM0111L
4 / Fundamentals of Internet Technology / C / 10+10 / 1,2 / CM0130L
4 / Software Development (Part 1) / C / 20 / 1 / CM0116D
4 / Software Development (Part 2) / C / 20 / 2 / CM0117D
At the end of stage 1, students will be eligible to exit with the award of Certificate of Higher Education if they have successfully completed at least 120 credits and achieved the award learning outcomes.
THIS AWARD DOES NOT CONFER ELIGIBILITY TO REGISTER WITH BCS
Stage 2
FHEQ Level / Module Title / Core/ Option (Approved Ordinary route) / Core/Option
(Honours) / Credits / Semester (s) / Module Code
5 / Database Systems / C / C / 10+10 / 1,2 / CM-0229L
5 / Software Engineering with Group Project / C / C / 10+10 / 1,2 / CM-0228L
5 / Computer Communications and Networks / O / C / 10+10 / 1,2 / CM-0315L
5 / Computer Architecture and Systems Software 2 / O / C / 10+10 / 1,2 / CM-0415L
5 / Data Structures and Algorithms / O / C / 10+10 / 1,2 / CM-0316L
5 / Symbolic and Declarative Computing/Artificial Intelligence / O / C / 10+10 / 1,2 / CM-0318L
At the end of stage 2, students will be eligible to exit with the award of Diploma of Higher Education if they have successfully completed at least 240 credits and achieved the award learning outcomes.
THIS AWARD DOES NOT CONFER ELIGIBILITY TO REGISTER WITH BCS
Stage 3
FHEQ Level / Module Title / Core/ Option (Approved Ordinary route) / Core/Option
(Honours) / Credits / Semester (s) / Module Code
6 / Final Year Project / C / 20+20 / 1,2 / CM-0347K
6 / Advanced Rendering and Real Time Graphics / O / O / 20 / 1 / CM-0353D
6 / Decision Support Systems / O / O / 20 / 1 / CM-0606D
6 / Neural Networks and Fuzzy Systems / O / O / 20 / 1 / CM-0340D
6 / Formal Methods / O / O / 20 / 1 / CM-0332D
6 / Cyber Security / O / O / 20 / 1 / CM-0358D
6 / AI for Games / O / O / 20 / 2 / CM-0328D
6 / Concurrent and Distributed Systems / O / O / 20 / 2 / CM-0518D
6 / Foundations of Cryptography / O / O / 20 / 2 / CM-0348D
6 / Human Computer Interaction (Design and Development) / O / O / 20 / 2 / CM-0331D
6 / Real Time Systems / O / O / 20 / 2 / CM-0506D
6 / Real Time Simulation and Modelling / O / O / 20 / 2 / CM-0354D
6 / Large Scale Data Driven Applications / O / O / 20 / 2 / CM-0359D
Students will be eligible to exit with the award of Ordinary Degree of Bachelor if they have successfully completed at least 300 credits and achieved the award learning outcomes.
Students will be eligible for the award of Honours Degree of Bachelor if they have successfully completed at least 360 credits and achieved the award learning outcomes.
PLEASE STATE IF THIS AWARD CONFERS ELIGIBILITY TO REGISTER WITH BCS
Placement and/or Study Abroad
This programme provides the option for students to undertake a work placement or period of study abroad between Stages 2and 3. Students wishing to take this option will be registered for the 4year programme.
For further information about study abroad opportunities please refer to
Learning and Teaching Strategy
You will experience a wide range of teaching and learning environments. Concepts, principles and theories are generally explored in formal lectures, practiced in associated tutorials and seminars, and demonstrated in laboratory classes. Practical skills are developed in laboratory sessions. Professional and personal skills are developed through the Developing Professional Skills module which involves communications skills, library skills, group work and presentations. The Software Engineering Group Project develops an appreciation of how to manage group dynamics whilst working on a substantial software engineering exercise. Honours students undertake a major individual project in their final year, drawing together the knowledge and experience gained throughout the programme. The project provides the opportunity for you to demonstrate your ability to solve problems using current ideas and techniques that are at the forefront of computing and information systems disciplines. Students who achieve an Ordinary degree may be given the opportunity to ‘top-up’ to a classified Honours degree at a later stage at which time they will undertake the individual project.
Each 20-credit module on the programme requires you to commit 200 hours of study. Some of these hours will be formally timetabled - lectures, laboratories, seminars and tutorials – and others will involve you in carrying out private study. The balance between these forms of study changes as you pass through the three years of the programme. There are a lot of “contact hours” (time spent with tutors) in the earlier stages of the programme; in the final year you will be expected to manage your own learning, under the general guidance of your tutors.
Assessment Strategy
Methods of assessment are similarly varied and your progress will be assessed using a mix of formal examinations, presentations and seminar papers, reports, laboratory tests, essays, coursework assignments, and projects. The appropriate method is chosen so that you may demonstrate the particular learning outcomes of each module.
Assessment Regulations
This Programme conforms to the standard University Regulations which are available at the following link:
Admission Requirements
The University welcomes applications from all potential students and most important in the decision to offer a place is our assessment of a candidate’s potential to benefit from their studies and of their ability to succeed on this particular programme. Consideration of applications will be based on a combination offormal academic qualifications and other relevant experience.
The minimum entry requirements for the programme are as follows:
A total of 300 UCAS tariff points, to include 160 points from 2 GCE A levels or equivalent. At least one from Computing, ICT, Maths or a science is preferred. Or DMM in a relevant BTEC Diploma. International Baccalaureate (see UCAS tariff point requirements)
Applications are welcome from students with non-standard qualifications or mature students (those over 21 years of age on entry) with significant relevant experience.
Recognition of Prior Learning
If applicants have prior certificated learning or professional experience which may be equivalent to parts of this programme, the University has procedures to evaluate and recognise this learning in order to provide applicants with exemptions from specified modules or parts of the programme.
Minor Modification Schedule
Version Number / Brief description of Modification / Date of Approval (Faculty Board)1
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